kapachino

Author: Kathleen

  • Currently

    We’ve had the most gorgeous sunsets here recently. Captured this one from my parents’ house on Friday.

    Time // 9:10 a.m.
    Place // at home in my office/craft room.
    Eating // nothing at the moment.
    Drinking // precious, precious coffee.
    Watching // just finished season 2 of Parks & Recreation last night.
    Reading // Bee Season by Myla Goldberg.
    Wanting // new carpet, always.
    Thinking // about all we have to do today.
    Creating // last week’s Project Life.
    Hoping // to incorporate my crafting on the blog.
    Needing // to not be addicted to caffeine anymore.
    Anticipating // the newcomer’s luncheon at the church we’ve been going to. And chocolate ice cream.

    ***

    So I mentioned that I gave up coffee and chocolate for Lent, right? Well I’m five days in and I haven’t caved yet, but you guys it’s SO HARD. I am completely addicted to caffeine. I only have 1-2 cups of coffee a day but it hugely affects me immediately, and if I don’t have it I get pounding headaches. I couldn’t go cold turkey so I’ve been taking Excedrin daily. I mean, I have to wake up at 5 a.m. every day, drive an hour to work, and administer chemo. I started drinking coffee when I became a nurse and it’s what has helped me through to this day. I gave it up somehow when I was pregnant but now I don’t have the same kind of motivation. Oh, and chocolate is super hard to resist too, considering it’s basically the only type of sweet that I like. This is how I found myself drinking a Coke on Friday afternoon, which is rare for me.

    ***

    I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how I spend my time, and over the past week I’ve come to settle into a routine that I think will work for me. When I’m not at work I devote myself completely to Meredith until she falls asleep. Sometimes she enjoys playing independently and I’m able to do a little crafting. Then if there’s time before bed David and I have been watching a little TV together. On Saturdays I do the week’s chores, play with Meredith a ton, and still usually have time for hobbies. David does errands, and then Sunday is more of a family day. I do most of my reading for pleasure during the week here and there. One thing I still haven’t figured out is how to incorporate cooking into our daily lives. I feel like this will always be a struggle for me.

    ***

    Project Life has really been great for me so far. It satisfies my urge to document life as well as work with my hands and doesn’t take too much time. It has renewed my interest in other crafts as well. I’ve also been doing some cross stitch, card making, and soon I hope to start embroidering as well. Eventually I may decide to learn how to knit, crochet, and sew, but one thing at a time. I want to start sharing these projects with you too, so look for that soon.

    ***

    Time to get ready for church. Sundays are feast days during Lent (hence why I’ve had my morning coffee) and I’ve never loved them so much!

  • meredith at seven months

    I know I covered up her adorable fat rolls this month, but David bought her this perfect mermaid outfit and I had to put her in it. We call her Mermaid more often than anything so it really fits!

    She:

    >Still has no teeth, which is perfectly fine with me.

    >Sits by herself better and better all the time, and plays well independently.

    >Isn’t mobile yet, but I know it’s coming. She gets herself on her tummy all the time now, pushes up (and occasionally pushes up her pelvis too), and scoots a bit.

    >Loves the dogs! Cleo is especially interested in her, and anytime she starts licking Meredith opens her mouth. Gross, child. Meredith actually fell off the couch right in front of me once because she leaned over too far to pet Cleo. She was fine, but I felt TERRIBLE.

    >Is beginning to enjoy non-breastmilk food now and will take the spoon in her mouth eagerly. She’d prefer to feed herself, which we sometimes let her do, but most of the time it’s easier for us to just do jar food.

    >Has been erratic at bedtime, sometimes not sleeping unless I go to bed with her, and preferring darkness.

    >Hardly naps at all on the weekends. She doesn’t want to miss out on any time with us, and I feel the same way. But still, naps would be nice.

    >Prefers to play with (and therefore chew) paper, plastic, hair, and necklaces. One day I found a piece of a Kohl’s price tag in her diaper.

    >Is really good with her hands! I don’t pay attention to those baby development things, but I feel like this is an area she excels in.

    >Used to love lying on the changing table, but now she fusses every time we lie her down there. I think she’s entering a bit of a clingy stage!

    She’s got the over-the-shoulder modeling pose down.

    Tummy time requires intense concentration.

    I:

    >Seem to have some sort of perpetual mild sickness. I guess it’s drainage, resulting in a dry throat, cough, and an altogether feeling of tiredness. But it never progresses past the point of annoyance, and for that I’m grateful.

    >Have started taking baths with Meredith at night. She outgrew her infant tub, and we bought her an inflatable transitional tub in the shape of a duck, but she’s afraid of it and cries anytime we put her in it. I can’t actually bathe myself while I’m in the tub with her, but it’s fast becoming one of my favorite things for us to do together.

    >Am giving up coffee and chocolate for Lent and am kind of terrified. I chose this combination because I wanted to think of something that would be as hard for me as it will be for my husband to give up soda, which is what he’s doing. In preparation I have had Starbucks several times over the past few days and lots of truffles.

    >Can’t express my love for nursing Meredith enough. Although I’m getting more used to her eating other foods, I’m still so grateful that she wants me when she’s truly hungry, or tired, or upset. I hope that when it’s time to wean my heart will be ready.

    >Gave up on trying to exercise right now. I really do want to incorporate it back into my life, but it’s not high on the priority list at this time. Thankfully I have an active job so I’m on my feet a lot and not just sitting around.

    >Think we might have found the church we want to get involved in. We’ve been there for a month, and we’re signed up for the “newcomer luncheon” next week. Fingers crossed this one sticks.

    >Have been trying hard to find balance between work, family & Meredith, and hobbies. Work takes up way too much of my time, but I do have a great job and maybe one day we can afford for me to go part-time. If I’m not there I’m with Meredith and that’s what I want, and I fit in other things when I can, like after she goes to bed or while she’s napping or playing by herself on the weekends.

    >Think Meredith gets better and better all the time, and I am finally not missing her newborn-ness too much and am actually kiiiind of looking forward to her getting a little older. Seven months, though, is a really great age.

    For reference:

    No months
    One month
    Two months
    Three months
    Four months
    Five months
    Six months

  • what i read : january 2012

    In the interest of simplifying my life I’ve decided to move away from my separate book blog for now because I can’t keep up with it very well. So I’ll be incorporating my reviews here on a monthly-ish basis. I’ll give you a 1-2 line summary, review, and rating for each book. I’ll provide a link to my Goodreads review as well, if you’re interested in seeing more of my thoughts about it. I’m also participating in a couple of reading challenges this year, and I’ll tell you about those soon. Sound good? Okay.

    Here’s what I read in January.

    (Click on the titles below for full reviews.)

    Fablehaven books 3 and 4 by Brandon Mull.

    It’s about: The continued adventures of Kendra and Seth and their family and friends as they attempt to stop the evil Society of the Evening Star from opening the demon prison.

    I thought: I’m not really reviewing this because it’s the middle of the series, but let me just say that if you like juvenile fantasy, you should give this series a try. I loved it and didn’t want it to end. The audio version is excellent.

    Rating: 4 of 5 stars.

    The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.

    It’s about: Madeleine, just graduating from Brown with an English degree and no idea what to do with her life, navigates her early twenties caught between two significant relationships: her boyfriend Leonard who is a manic-depressive, and her good friend Mitchell who feels destined to end up with Madeleine and embarks on a spiritual journey across the globe.

    I thought: The writing was superb, the early twenties were represented accurately, the characters were real, and the “marriage plot” well-adapted to the modern age. Although it will probably only appeal to a specific audience, that audience was me and I really enjoyed it.

    Rating: 4 of 5 stars.

    Lady Susan by Jane Austen.

    It’s about: An infamous flirt, Lady Susan, her daughter that she cares nothing for, her romantic life, and how she causes turmoil in her own family and others. Written as a series of letters.

    I thought: It would be a good introduction to Austen’s style and themes, the epistolary format worked well, but the ending was rushed and unsatisfactory.

    Rating: 3 of 5 stars.

    Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli.

    It’s about: How real Christianity is imperfect, unfinished, and messy; written for those who feel unworthy or like they’re not doing Christianity right.

    I thought: Although I love all the concepts in this book, the writing is extremely average and at times trite, so it didn’t inspire me as much as it should’ve. A short and easy read.

    Rating: 3 of 5 stars.

    The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank.

    It’s about: A funny and humorous account of Jane as she grows up and finds her way in the world, especially when it comes to work, family, and love.

    I thought: It was an enjoyable read, Jane was sweet and funny, and pretty much everyone in her life has something endearing about them. I liked the message of “just be yourself.” Overall not my favorite genre and I found it good, not great.

    Rating: 3 of 5 stars.

  • Currently

    Meredith and her Gigi (David’s grandmother) watch the boys play last week.

    Time // 6:11 p.m.
    Place // at home in my office/craft/storage room.
    Eating // …two pieces of Russell Stover chocolate. You caught me.
    Drinking // water.
    Watching // Meredith play with toys on the ground.
    Reading // A Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
    Wanting // a new computer. (For any rich benefactors out there: a MacBook Pro, please.)
    Thinking // about what is making Meredith fuss right now.
    Creating // a really cheesy, flowery cross stitch of our wedding date.
    Hoping // my yearly skills check-off at work tomorrow isn’t too hard.
    Needing // a new children’s or young adult fantasy series to listen to.
    Anticipating // a shopping trip this weekend for beauty products, craft supplies, shoes, and baby clothes.

    ***

    Remember my Currently series? For awhile I did it every month, and then it was every few months, and now…well, obviously I haven’t done it in awhile. My life is so scheduled right now with being a full-time working mom that none of my hobbies can afford to be. I fit them in when I can, and that includes blogging, reading, and crafting (my three main “me” activities right now). I definitely do make time for them, but I just have to be flexible.

    My point is that with blogging right now, I can’t stick to any kind of schedule. The only thing I try to write about in a timely manner is Meredith’s monthly updates, and that’s really just for my future benefit. But I’m really into finding new and effective ways to document life, and I did like my Currently series because it provided a snapshot of my life at that point. I’m even using some of the same questions to include in Project Life, and I’m getting my husband to answer them too. But for the blog, I’m revamping it a little. Instead of posting monthly, I’m going to do it whenever I feel like it. Maybe that’s every week (doubtful) or maybe every few months (more likely). The format is slightly different as you see (I got the new one from this blog), but still the same idea.

  • Thirty!

    Guess, what? I’m thirty years old today. Hooray!

    It’s a milestone. Kind of a big one, although I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because 30 seems so…adult. So…old? Nah. I don’t feel old. I mean, I’ve been living like a grandma for years, but I feel great.

    Nevertheless, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on this birthday. Kind of evaluating my life, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it is fantastic. I’m healthy. I’m married to a man with a heart of gold who loves me like I never dreamed I would be loved. We have an adorable, healthy baby who gives us endless joy. We have amazing families who are our best friends. I have a steady job that is challenging and fulfilling. These and many, many other blessings.

    My life isn’t perfect. I wish we were out of debt and had money to travel and save for retirement and Meredith’s future. I wish I didn’t have to work so much and that my job wasn’t so far away. I wish I had more time for hobbies. I wish I could figure out how to cook on a regular basis. Like anyone, my relationships have their struggles. But all of these things are trivial compared to the good in my life.

    I wish I was at a point where I could make some concrete goals for the next year, or even month – but I’m trying to be true to myself and right now I know that would just stress me out. I’m happy with the way things are going, though. I’m doing really well documenting life lately – I’ve started Project Life, am taking lots of photos, capture at least one good thing a day as well as writing down what happened that day. I’ve lost over half of the weight I gained while pregnant and am back into my pre-pregnancy clothes. I find time to read. I soak up my time with David and Meredith. We are looking hard for a new church.

    I’m just really, really happy to be alive. And I think thirty is going to be the best year yet.